Honda HRC message of condolence, following the passing of Nicky Hayden

Nicky Hayden was an HRC rider for much of his racing career, achieving many successes both in his home country and internationally. Nicky won the 1999 AMA Supersport Championship and the 2002 AMA Superbike Championship with American Honda and the 2006 MotoGP World Championship with Repsol Honda. Last year he moved to World Superbike Championship with Ten Kate Honda, winning a race in his first season.

Yesterday’s terrible news of the loss of the much-loved American due to the consequences of a cycling accident in Rimini, Italy, on Wednesday May 17, is a terrible blow for the entire motorcycling community and for everyone at HRC.

Yoshishige Nomura

HRC President

“On behalf of all HRC employees and our racing teams, I wish to express my deepest condolences to Nicky Hayden’s family, his fiancée and his many friends.

Nicky has been such a close friend and member of the HRC family that it’s very hard to believe he is gone. Together we won two AMA titles and the 2006 MotoGP crown, and until his accident he was giving 100 percent to bring success to the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team. Nicky was a great rider and champion but he was an even better person. We always had the utmost respect for his racing spirit and for the commitment he showed on every occasion, while his charming character made him a favorite with the entire motorcycling world and race fans everywhere. At HRC we will never forget Nicky, who was very much one of us. Everyone at HRC is deeply saddened, but we will remember the many special memories we shared together with him. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family during this difficult moment.”

More, from a press release issued by Michelin:

MICHELIN MOURNS THE PASSING OF A MOTOGP LEGEND

It is with deep regret and heartfelt condolences that Michelin marks the untimely death of former MotoGP™ World Champion Nicky Hayden.

The 35-year-old from Owensboro, Kentucky in America was cycling near the Misano World Circuit in Italy on Wednesday 17th May when he was involved in a collision with a car. He was treated at the scene and taken to the local hospital before being transferred to Bufalini Hospital in Cesena. Following examinations the initial diagnosis said Hayden had suffered serious cerebral damage and polytrauma. Unfortunately he succumbed to those injuries on Monday evening, local time, with his mother Rose, brother Tommy and Nicky’s fiancée Jackie at his bedside.

Hayden joined the MotoGP paddock in 2003 on a Michelin-shod Repsol Honda following flat-track and road-racing circuit success in America. It was this footing that led him to taking the ultimate motorcycling prize when he won the 2006 World Championship, an honour which also confirmed his place in Michelin’s history as the final World Champion for the French company prior to the single tyre rule. It was also this victory that led to ‘The Kentucky Kid’ – as he was affectionately known – being inducted into the MotoGP Legends in 2015.

The news of Hayden’s death sent shockwaves through the racing community and transcends beyond that arena of sport. Michelin sends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and current racing team, the Red Bull Honda World Superbike team in WSBK. He was a true competitor, a friendly and likeable human being and will be sorely missed in paddocks around the world.

Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Patrick Hayden 1981-2017 a MotoGP legend taken too early #RideOnKentuckyKid

Pascal Couasnon – Director of Michelin Motorsport:

“We are all shocked and saddened by the news that Nicky has died. He was a great competitor, a true champion and a very warm and friendly person. Michelin was honoured to work with him in MotoGP and his World Championship in 2006 has a special place in the company’s history. He will be a big loss to motorcycle racing, his family and friends. On behalf of everyone at Michelin, and from me personally, we send our sincere condolences.”

More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

MotoAmerica Mourns The Loss Of Nicky Hayden

The Popular World Champion Passes In Italy

COSTA MESA, CA (May 22, 2017) – MotoAmerica would like to express its deepest sympathies to the Hayden family following the tragic passing of Nicky Hayden this morning.

It goes without saying that Nicky was America’s biggest road racing icon of his generation, accomplishing the sport’s highest levels of achievement. We were privileged to watch him hone his talents on dirt tracks across the country before his next step of becoming an AMA Supersport Champion and then the youngest AMA Superbike Champion in history.

In 2005, we watched him win his first MotoGP at Laguna Seca and a year later he won the U.S. Grand Prix again, this time en route to winning the World Championship after a battle to the final round with Valentino Rossi.

Hayden’s and his family’s contributions to the sport of motorcycle racing, particularly in the U.S., will forever be remembered and cherished. Nicky and the Hayden family will always hold a special place in the hearts of racing fans around the world and MotoAmerica will honor his legacy throughout the 2017 season.

“I’ve known Nicky and his family since they started taking road racing seriously,” MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey said. “His natural dirt tracking talent made his transition to road racing seamless. Nicky worked hard, but his passion and desire to be the best was as strong as his work ethic. Being crowned MotoGP World Champion in 2006 was the reward for years of hard work. I believe Nicky loved the challenge and it’s what he was born to do. What really stands out for me was his character and the way he treated others with respect and kindness. I am very sad and Nicky will be missed by all of us.”

Nicky Hayden is survived by parents Earl and Rose, fiancé Jackie Marin, brothers and sisters, Tommy, Roger, Jenny and Kathleen, and nieces and nephew.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the new North American road racing series created in 2014. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

More, from a press release issued by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing Inc.:

WERA MOTORCYCLE ROADRACING ON THE PASSING OF NICKY HAYDEN

It seems like only yesterday a man named Earl Hayden brought his two sons Tommy and Nicky to race with WERA Motorcycle Roadracing, Roger was there too but he was a bit too young to climb on a bike – that came a few years later! Nicky was barely tall enough to manage his 125cc machine but once he got going there was no stopping him. Over the years we watched him go after and achieve his dreams and to have been a small part of that journey has been an honor.

Our condolences go to Earl and Rose, to Nicky’s siblings, his fiancée and to all who are grieving his passing. We wish you smiles to replace the sadness you feel now when you think of Nicky – he left us with so memories that made us smile. Nicky lived more life in 35 years than many of us will do in our lifetimes. He taught us to live life to the fullest! RIP Nicky we will miss you!

WERA Motorcycle Roadracing was founded in 1973 and remains the foremost place to develop talent in the sport of motorcycle Roadracing. The legacy of Pro riders on a National and World level is legendary. All events are run by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing with a co-sanction by the AMA and they go coast to coast offering entry level racing with the WERA Sportsman Series as well as a Pro-Am Series with the WERA National Challenge Series, WERA Motorcycle Roadracing also offer Vintage Racing and limited Endurance Racing with Track Day Partners N2 and Sportbike Track Time..

For a 2017 Schedule and more information on WERA Motorcycle Roadracing please check out our web site at wera.com!  

More, from a press release issued by Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team:

23 May 2017

Honda WorldSBK management pay tribute to the late Nicky Hayden

The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team offers its most heartfelt condolences to Nicky’s family, his fiancée Jackie, his friends, fans and everyone who has been touched by the passing of one of the racing world’s most loved sons.

Nicky’s passing has shocked and saddened everyone in the team and we are still coming to terms with this tragedy. However, we will participate in this weekend’s WorldSBK round at Donington in the United Kingdom.

Rest in peace Nicky. You will be truly, deeply missed by all of us.

Marco Chini – WorldSBK Operations Manager, Honda Motor Europe

“It seems impossible that Nicky is no longer with us. Nicky was not only an outstanding rider, but also a shining example of sporting ethos and professionalism.

“The “Kentucky Kid” perfectly represented the values of the sport and the American school of motorcycling. The level of affection and support that the global sports community has shown Nicky demonstrates how much his kind persona and his genuine passion for motorcycling have left a mark in the hearts of motorsport enthusiasts and insiders, and his incredible legion of fans around the world. It is such a shame we only had eighteen months working together, but we have many happy memories during this time. Seeing Nicky return to the top step of the podium in Sepang last year was very special and also his podium at Laguna Seca was a real proud moment as Nicky was always so passionate when racing in front of his home fans.

“Thank you for everything Nicky; we will always remember you fondly, and you will be sorely missed.”

Ronald Ten Kate – Team Manager, Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team

“This is a huge shock to me, the whole team, the World Superbike paddock and actually the entire racing world. We only had the pleasure to work with Nicky for one-and-a-half years but we came to know him like all his previous teams spoke about him: fanatical about bikes, hard-working, charismatic but above all, he was pure and genuine. He was Nicky!

“He will be missed by all of us and I hope he will be an example for any young talent trying to reach the top as Nicky did himself. We wish the Hayden family and his fiancée Jackie all the strength they will need. Rest in peace Nicky Hayden.”

More, from a press release issued by Gabi Toy:

Official Statement from Gabi Toy

Nicky’s final project with Gabi Toy was the Nicky Hayden Limited Edition teddy bear, originally slated to go on sale at the upcoming WSBK round at Laguna Seca on July 7-9, 2017. So now, and with permission from the family, we have decided to release the final batch of teddy bears. As a tribute to the generosity of spirit that Nicky Hayden showed to everyone, all net proceeds from the sales will be donated to the Hayden family.

Words cannot describe the emotions we’re all feeling right now. However, I personally will never forget Nicky’s charming accent, his infectious smile, his humor, and of course his generosity, from the first time we communicated to the last time we met up. I, and everyone here at Gabi Toy send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the Hayden family. Godspeed Nicky.

Ken Tam

Gabi Toy

http://www.gabitoy.com/en/licensed.html

More, from a press release issued by Yoshimura Suzuki:

YOSHIMURA SUZUKI SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF NICKY HAYDEN

Former World Champion’s Death Hits the Entire Team Hard

Chino, CA (May 23, 2017) – The staff at Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family, as well as friends and fans, of 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden.

Hayden passed away in Italy Monday after being seriously injured in a bicycle training accident last Wednesday.

“Nicky was such a great person and always made those around him smile,” said Don Sakakura, President at Yoshimura Racing. “I’ve had the greatest admiration for Nicky’s skill as a motorcycle racer. We have close ties with the Hayden family and with his brothers, Roger being a current member and Tommy being a former member of our racing team. We also have several on our team who worked directly with Nicky in the past.

“It’s a sad day for all of motorcycle racing and together we mourn the passing of Nicky, one of the true greats of our sport.” 

More, from a press release issued by Dunlop:

Dunlop Mourns the Loss of Nicky Hayden

Buffalo, NY: It is with very heavy hearts that the Dunlop family mourns the tragic loss of Nicky Hayden. Words cannot do justice to how we, and the whole racing community and fans the world over, feel right now. There was never a single moment in all the years we had the privilege to work with Nicky on his journey to fulfilling his boyhood dream of becoming a world champion that he didn’t give it everything he had, no matter the challenge he was facing. And always, win or lose, he had a way of making it all better with that beautiful smile of his. His great morality, respect for everyone, kindness, dedication and true love of racing will never be forgotten.

“When I remember Nicky I will think about him as a person grounded in family values with a heart as big as the state of Kentucky,” said Mike Buckley, vice president of sales and marketing. “The family values learned from Earl and Rose over the years helped make him the most humble world champion the world may ever know. In spite of the lofty status Nicky rose to, I could always rely on a handshake, and genuine catch up conversation every time I saw him—that’s a person who was not only taught to be respectful but never forgot where he came from. Class personified for sure. He will be sorely missed.”

Jim Allen headed up Dunlop’s U.S. racing program during the years Nicky was racing here. Allen recalls, “Even when things didn’t go exactly right with the tires, it never got personal with Nicky. He’d just talk about the situation, listen to what I might say and ask if ‘we’ could do better. You always wanted to do better for Nicky because you always knew he was giving it 100 percent. He and his amazing siblings were raised in a great family by wonderful parents. Nicky was taught to respect everyone—those of us who were lucky enough to work with him and those of us who watched him from a distance. We were happy to give it back.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rose, Earl, Tommy, Roger, Jenny, Kathleen and Nicky’s fiancée Jackie as well as the rest of his family and friends during this terrible time.

God speed Nicky. You were the best in all of us. And you will be with us forever.

More, from a press release issued by Bill Syfan on behalf of the CMRA:

THE CMRA SAYS GOODBYE TO NICKY HAYDEN

The CMRA (Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association), formerly CRRC, extends its deepest sympathies to the fiancé, family, friends and fans of MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden, who died Monday in Italy.

Nicky and the Hayden family participated with the CRRC/CMRA during their formative years, with Earl making the long drive to Texas from Kentucky so that the kids could compete in the most competitive series in the country. It was clear from the beginning that the boys were talented racers and their family was intent on giving them every opportunity to excel. Not only were Nicky and his brothers talented, they were polite, kind, and friends to all in the paddock.

The loss of Nicky Hayden is the loss of one of our own, and will be felt forever.

Godspeed, Nicky.